Machine for forming elements



June 16, 1942. v

w. J." WILEY MACHINE FOR FORMING ELEMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1940 s INVENTOR MZZ/AM 1/ VV/Lfl BY a ATTORNEYS w. .1. WILEY MACHINE FOR FORMING ELEMENTS June 16 ,1942.

Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 21 June 16, 1942. w. J. WILEY MACHINE FOR FORMING ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS June 16, 1942. w. J. WILEY umcnms FOR FORMING ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. W/ZMW may BY k ham 8 ATTORNEYS Patented June 16, 194-2 MACHINE FUR FORMING ELEMENTS -William J. Wiley, Waterbury, Conn., 'assignor to United States Rubber Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 20, 1940, Serial No. 314,823

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for forming metal elements particularly for forming such elements as are used in separable fasteners.

This invention is an improvement upon and is related to United States Patent No. 2,183,373 and United States patent application, Serial No. 7

203,742, filed April 23, 1938.. The improvement in this application relates particularly to means for preventing the element blanks and the elements formed therefrom from sticking in the swedging die and for straightening the elongated metal shape from which the element blanks are out before they enter the cutting die. In the present machine the end of an elongated metal from. Since the element blank and the element g formed therefrom is positively carried by the knife into and out of the swedging die, and the finished element is positively ejected from the knife, or carrier, the danger of the element becoming jammed in the die is practically eliminated.

The above objects and other features of this invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodYin this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are partly cross-sectional and elevational views of the cutting and swedging dies respectively showing the die parts in their relative positions when the end of the metal shape is sheared off to form an element blank, when the element blank is being shaped, and when the finished element is being discharged from the knife;

Fig. '7 is an elevational view of the knife or carrier with an element blank in the cutting opening formed therein; and

Fig. 8 is a front end view of one face of the swedging die showing the cutting knife and swedged element in dot and dash lines and in the positions they occupy while the element is being swedged.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 3, an elongated metal shape I is fed by feed rolls l I through a guideway l2 formed in a guide block l3 which forms a support for the machine parts. The end of the shape is projected through a cutting die I4 and an opening in the cutting knife l until it is stopped by an abutment It. The knife is reciprocated back and forth between the cutting die l4 and a swedging die I1. As the knife I5 moves upwardly. the end of the metal shape IE! is sheared off to form an element blank which is securely held in the opening in the knife [5 and against movement in'both directions of reciprocation. The element is carried in the opening by the knife I5 to the swedging die H, of which the opening in the knife l5 forms a part. The element blank is swedged in the die cavity formed by walls of the opening in the knife [5 and the adjacent faces of a reciprocating member 19 andan abutment I8. After the element blank has been shaped to form the element, the carrier I5 is moved downwardly until the opening therein is oppcsite an ejector 20 which moves forward and ejects the element into the discharge passage 2|. The elements then fall bygravity down the chute 22 where they are collected for use, or for further treatment,

such as polishing, plating and painting.

The machine disclosed herein is particularly designed for making fastener elements 23 of the shape shown in Fig. 6 which are being discharged from the machine. The top element 23 just being discharged is shown in side elevation, and the bottom element 23 is shown in front elevation. The elements have generally a Y-shape, the branches of the Y forming the jaws 24 of the element and'the stem of the Y forming the head 25 of the element.- A locking projection 26 is provided on one side of the head and a locking recess 21 is, provided on the other side.

The-elements 23 are made from the element blank 28, shown in Fig. '7, and. which is cut from the end of the elongated metal shape 10 having a similar cross-sectional shape The knife I5 is provided with an opening 29 of Y-shape having branches 33 adapted to closely fit the portions of the shape 10 whichform the jaws 24 of the element, and the stem of the Y-opening 29 extends beyond the head 25 of the element blank so as to form a space 3| into which a projection, hereinafter to be described, is adapted to extend to shape the end of the head 25'.

As shown in Fig. 4 the end of the metal shape in has been moved through the cutting die I4 having an opening conforming'to the cross-' sectional shape of the metal shape II] and into the opening 29 in the knife I5. As the knife I5 is moved upwardly the end of the shape Ii! is sheared off, and it is retained in the opening The knife is then moved,

as shown in Fig. 7. upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5, but while the reciprocating part I9 of the swedging die is in the position asshown in Fig. 4, excepting that it moves towards the knife I5 at the end of the knifes stroke. The reciprocating part I9 is provided with a hardened metal insert I9 having a face 32 which is then moved to the left against the face of the element blank 28, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to enclose the blank within the opening 29 and between the face 32 of the insert I3 and the face 33 of the stationary abutment I3. A projection 34 extends from .the face 32 of the insert I9 and into the space 3| above the head 25' of the element 23. Referring to Fig. 4, the projection 34 is provided with an inclined top surface 35 which makes it possible for the projection to move partly into the opening 3| before the knife I5 has reached the end of its upward stroke. The projection 33 acts as an abutment for the head 25 of the element blank 28 and is provided with a rounded bottom surface 33 which is adapted to form a correspondingly rounded surface upon the end of the element head 25.

The face 32 of the insert I9 is provided with a rounded recess 31 into which the metal of the element blank .28 is forced by a reciprocat-.

ing punch 38 which operates in a guideway 39 in the abutment I8. The punch 38 is provided with a rounded end 4!) which occupies the position shown in Fig. 4 when the blank 28 is moved to the Fig. 5 position. The end 40 is then reciprocated against the element blank 28 to form the locln'ng recess .21 in the element 23 and to force the metal into the recess 31 to form the projection 28 on the finished element.

After the element has been shaped, as shown in Fig. 5, the reciprocating member I9 is moved away from the knife I5, and the element 23 is separated, or ejected from the face 32 of the insert H! by a pair of ejector pins 4| (Figs. 5 and 8) operating in'bores opening into the face 32. When the reciprocating member I9 is in the position shown in Fig. 5 the ends of the pins 4| are resiliently pressed against the blank 23 by mechanism enclosed in a bore 42 in the member I9. The mechanism comprises an abutment 43 operated by a spring 44 which forces the abutment against the heads 45 of the pins 4| and causes the forward ends of the pins 4| to project through the face 32 against the elemerit blank 28. As the reciprocating member I9 moves away from the knife I5, the ends of the pins 4| are projected beyond the face 32 and eject the element 23 from the face and causes it to remain in the opening 29 in the knife I5. The end 43 of the punch 2|] is then or simultaneously with the movement of the member I9 moved within the face 33 of the abutment I8.

The knife I5 is now moved downwardly and stopped at the ejecting position as shown in Fig. 6. The end of the ejector 23 is moved forward through the opening 29 in the knife I5 and discharges the finished element 23 therefrom, while the knife is held stationary. The ejector 25 is then withdrawn into the abutment i8, and the opening 29 is then moved opposite the opening in the cutting die I4 where it is ready to receive the end of the metal shape If! for forming the next succeeding element blank 28.

Referring to Fig. 3, the knife I5, the reciproeating member I3, the punch 38, and the ejector 20 are respectively operated by the cam wheels 45, 41 and the cam projections 43 and 43. The cam wheels 43, 4?, and the cam projections 48 and 49 are respectively keyed to shafts 53, 5| and 52, which are journaled in side plates 53 and 54 (Figs. 2 and 3), which plates are secured together by the top guide and supporting block I3 and the bottom plate 54, to which the side plates are secured by screws 55. The shafts 58, 5| and 52 are driven from a prime mover, such as a belt 53 (Fig. 1), which drives a pulley 5'! keyed to the shaft 53. A gear 58 is keyed to the shaft 59. Idler gears 59 and Gil are mounted upon stub shafts ti and 62 fixed to the side plate 53 of the machine. The gears 59 and 60 mesh with the gear 58 and drive gears 63 and 64 keyed respectively to the shafts 52 and 5! upon which cam projections 48 and 49, and the cam wheel '41 are respectively mounted. The shafts 5| and 52 are held in their bearings by the bearing cap plates 65, .65, and 51, 68 which are securedto the guide and supporting block I3 by screws 69.

Referring to Fig. 3, the reciprocating member I9 is slidably supported on a plate III secured to the guide and supporting block I3. The reciprocating member I9 is made in two parts, II and I2, which are secured together by screws 13. The part 12 has rollers I4 rotatably mounted thereon which are held against the cam surface I5 of the cam wheel 41 by springs IS located in recesses 11 (Fig. 1), formed between wings I3 on the part 12 and shoulders I9 on the block I3. As shown in Fig. 3, the cam surface I5 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the face of the insert I9, carried by the reciprocating member I 9 is moved towards the face of the abutment I8. When the face of the insert comes in contact with the face of the knife I5, the reciprocating member I9 remains stationary until the depression in the cam surface 15 contacts with the rollers I4. Then the rollers 14 ride down the depression 80 and the springs I3 move the face of the insert I9 away from the face of the knife I5. The member I9 is thus reciprocated within a guideway formed between the plate I0 and the sides of a recess formed in the guide block I3. The reciprocating member I9 is held in the guideway by a plate 8| which is secured to the guide and supporting block I3 by screws 82.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the abutment i8 is secured to the guide and supporting block I3 by screws 83. The abutment I3 is L-shaped. The leg I8 of the abutment retains the cutting die I4, and is provided with bores for receiving the ejector 25 and the punch 33. The punch .38 is screw threaded into a slide block 84 which is adapted to reciprocate in a recess formed between the leg I8" of the abutment I3 and the guide block I3. One end of a spring 85 is located in a recess formed in the leg I8" and the other end of the spring abuts against a post 85 secured to the slide block 84. On each side of the post 86 the slide block 84 is provided with branches 8? (Fig. l) on which are journaled rollers 88, which are held by the spring 85 against the cam surfaces 89 from which the cam projections 43 extend. As these surfaces 89 rotate in the direction of the arrow, shown in Fig. 3, the projections 48 contact with the rollers 38 and force the punch through the face of the abutment I to form the locking projection 25, (Fig. 6) and locking recess 21 on the element 23.

Referring to Fig. 3, the ejector 20 is connected to a slide block 90 which reciprocates in a guideway SI formed in the guide and supporting block I3. The slide block 90 has a projection 92 which extends upwardly between the branches 8'! of the punch slide block 84, and is provided with rollers 93 which are held against cam surfaces 93' by a spring 94 which encircles the end of the ejector 20 and is compressed between the leg I8 of the abutment I8 and a shoulder on the slide block 90. As the cam surfaces 93, from which the cam projections 49 extend, are rotated in the direction of the arrow, the cam projections 49 contact with the rollers 93 and project the ejector 20 through the opening 29 in the knife I to eject the finished elements 23.

The knife I5 is mounted in a slide block 95 and retained therein by a screw 95. 95 is adapted to reciprocate in the guideway 0'! formed between guide members 98 and 99 secured to the side plates 53 and 54. A roller I00 is journaled on the end of the slide block 95 and operates within a cam groove IIlI formed in the cam wheel IB which is keyed to the shaft 50. As the cam wheel is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the knife I5 is moved upwardly from the cutting die I I to the swedging die I], where the element blank 20 is held in a stationary position until it is swedged in the die, and is then moved downwardly to the ejector 20, where it remains in a stationary position until the ejector 20 ejects the element therefrom.. The knife is then returned to the cutting die position. The cam groove IOI is so formed that it causes the knife to reciprocate in the above manner.

The feed rolls II are rotated intermittently in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, by a well known type of roller ratchet mechanism I02 (Fig. 2), which is operatively connected to the shaft I03 upon which the lower roll I I is mounted. The mechanism I32 is oscillated about theshaft I03 by a rod I04 pivoted at one end to the ratchet mechanism I02. The opposite end of the rod I04 is operated by a cam I05 fixed to the shaft 56. A roller I05 is journaled on a stud shaft I01 which is secured to the end of the rod I04 by a nut M8. I05 in opposition to a spring I09 which is compressed between a projection III? secured to the rod IEII and an abutment II I which is secured to the side plate 53 of the machine by a bolt H2.

A set screw H3 is screw threaded into a projecr.

tion IILI on the abutment III, and is adapted to contact with a shoulder H4 on the end of the rod I04 and to be adjusted so as to limit the arc of oscillation of the ratchet mechanism I02. The end of the rod IN is provided with a rectangular opening H5 which fits over the end of the shaft 50 and is retained thereon and permitted to slide in reference thereto by a block I I6, which is provided with a rectangular portion II! which extends into the opening I I5, and is provided with The cam I05 actuates the roller The slide block I24 which in turn bears upon the shaft I2I and is movable up and down in guides I25 formed in the frame I22. The pressure of the spring I23 against the block I24 may be adjusted by a set screw I26.

Referring, to Figs. 1 and 2, a brake comprising a brake shoe I2I is provided to prevent the frictional resistance in the ratchet mechanism I02 from moving the metal shape I0 out of the machine and away from the cutting die. The shoe I2! is resiliently pressed against a drum I21 on the shaft I03 by a spring I28. The force exerted by the spring I28 on the shoe I21 can be adjusted by a set screw I29.

The metal shape I0 is led from a reel (not shown) to the feed rolls II and is therefore curved lengthwise when it reaches the feed rolls. In order to take this curvature out of the metal shape I0, a reciprocating plunger I30 (Figs. 2 and 3) is mounted in a bracket I3I and its end is adapted to strike the top of the metal shape I0 between the feed rolls II and the entrance to the guideway I2 for the shape I0 in the block I3. As shown in Fig. 1, the bracket I3I is mounted upon the bearing caps 61 and 68 by screws I32 and extends therebetween. The plunger I30 is provided with a head I33 which is urged upwardly by a spring I34 compressed between the head I33 and the bracket Hill. An L- shaped lever I35 is pivotally mounted on a pin 33 secured in the bracket I3I. The lower end of the lever I35 is provided with a downwardly inclined surface I31 which is adapted to ride upon the cam projections 49 extending from the cam surfaces 93'. As the inclined surface I31 rides over the projections 49 the upper end I38 of the lever I35 is pivoted downwardly upon the head I33 of the plunger I30 and causes its lower end to hammer against the metal shape and thereby straighten it. The stroke of the plunger may be slightly adjusted by a set screw I39 threaded in the lever I35, and whose lower end contacts with the head I33 of the plunger I30.

While this invention has been described in detail, it will be understood that changes may be made in the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is desired to claim the invention as broadly as permitted by the prior art and to the extent covered by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. A machine comprising a die for swedging elements, said die comprising a reciprocable member having a face adapted to contact with and shape an element, an abutment having a face adapted to receive the thrust of said member, a carrier for an element blank and the element formed therefrom, said carrier having a recess therein for holding the element blank, said recess being adapted to be reciprocated between the faces of said reciprocable member and abutment to form a die cavity for the blank, said die cavity being enclosed by the walls of the reciprocable member and abutment and the walls of the recess in said carrier when such members are in cooperative engagement, said recess in said carrier being so shaped that the element is securely held against movement therein in both directions of the reciprocating movement of said carrier, means for reciprocating said carrier and said reciprocable member so as to move the recess in said carrier between said abutment and said reciprocable member and the face of said reciprocable member into and out of contact with the face of said carrier to close and open said die cavity'and then move said recess in said carrier from between said faces of said'abutment and reciprocable member, and means for ejecting the element from said carrier recess while it is out of the space between said reciprocating member and the abutment.

2. A machine comprising a die for swedging elements, said die comprising a reciprocable member having a face adapted to contact with and shape an element, an abutment having a face adapted to receive the thrust of said memher, a car for for an element blank and the element formed therefrom, said carrier having a recess therein for holding the element blank, said recess being adapted to be reciprocated between the faces of said reciprocable member and abutment to form a die cavity for the blank, said die cavity being enclosed by the walls of the reciprocable member and abutment and the walls of the recess in said carrier when such members are in cooperative engagement, said recess in carrier being so shaped that the element issecurely held against movement therein in both directions of the reciprocating movement of said carrier, said reciprocating member having a spring actuated ejector adapted to extend from the face of said reciprocating member and eject the element from said face when it recedes from said abutment, means for reciprocating said carrier and said reciprocable member so as to move the recess in said carrier between said abutment and said reciprocable member and the face of said reciprocable member into and out of contact with the face of said carrier to close and open said die cavity and then move said recess in said carrier from between said faces of said abutment and reciprocable member, and means for ejecting the element from said carrier recess while it is out of the space between said reciprocating member and the abutment.

3. A machine comprising a die for swedging separable fastener elements, said die comprising a reciprocable member having a face adapted to contact with and shape an element, an abutment having a face adapted to receive the thrust of said member, a carrier for an element blank and the element formed therefrom, said carrier having a recess therein for holding the element blank, said recess being adapted to be reciprocated between the faces of said reciprocable member and abutment to form a die cavity for the blank, said die cavity being enclosed by the walls of the reciprocable member and abutment and the walls of the recess in said carrier when such members are in cooperative engagement, said recess in said carrier being so shaped that the element is securely held against movement therein in both directions of the reciprocating movement of said carrier, said abutment having a guide way formed therein, a punch operating therein and adapted to extend through the face thereof, the face of said reciprocable member having a recess formed therein in alignment with said punch, means for reciprocating said carrier and said reciprocable member so as to move the recess in said carrier between said abutment and said reciprocable member and the face of said reciprocable member into contact with the face of said carrier to form said die cavity with the element blank enclosed therein, means for moving the end of said punch against the element blank so as to form a locking recess on one side of the element head and a locking projection on the other side by forcing the metal of said element head into the recess in the face of said reciprocating member and then moving the end of said punch within said abutment, means for moving the face of said reciprocable member away from said carrier, means for moving said recess in said carrier from between said faces of said abutment and reciprocable memher, and means for ejecting the element from said carrier recess while it is out of the space between said reciprocating member and the abutment.

4. A machine comprising a die for swedging separable fastener elements each having jaws and a head extending from the junction of same, said die comprising a reciprocable member having a face adapted to contact with and shape an element, an abutment having a face adapted to receive the thrust of said member, a carrier for an element blank and the element formed therefrom, said carrier having a recess therein for holding the element blank, said recess being adapted to be reciprocated between the faces of said reciprocable member and abutment to form a die cavity for the blank, said die cavity being enclosed by the walls of the reciprocablc member and abutment and the walls of the recess in said carrier when such members are in cooperative engagement, said recess in said carriage having a Y shape, the branches of the 'Y being adapted to closely fit the jaws of the element blank, the stem of the Y being adapted to receive the head of the element blank and extended beyond the end of the head, a projection extending from the face of said reciprocating member and adapted to extend into the portion of the stem of the Y beyond the head of the element to shape the end of said head, means for reciprocating said carrier and said reciprocable member so as to move the recess in said carrier between said abutment and said reciprocable member and the face of said reciprocable member into and out of contact with the face of said carrier to close and open said die cavity and then move said recess in said carrier from between said faces of said abutment and reciprocable member, and means for ejecting the element from said carrier recess while it is out of the space between said reciprocating member and the abutment.

5. A machine comprising a die for swedging separable fastener elements each having jaws and a head extending from the junction of same, said die comprising a reciprocable member having a face adapted to contact with and shape an element, an abutment having a face adapted to receive the thrust of said member, a carrier for an element blank and the element formed therefrom, said carrier having a Y shaped opening therein for holding the element blank with the jaws in the branches of the Y and the head in the stem of the Y, said stem extending beyond the head of the blank, said opening being adapted to be reciprocated between the faces of said reciprocable member and abutment to form a die cavity for the blank which is enclosed by said faces of the reciprocable member and abutment and the walls of the opening in said car-- rier when such members are in cooperative en gagement, said face of said reciprocating 12cc; ber'having a projection adapted to extend into the portion of the stem of the Y beyond the head of the element blank and adapted to round the end of the head on the side adjacent to the face of said reciprocating member, abutment having a guide way formed therein, a punch operating therein and adapted to extend through the face thereof, the face of said reciprocable member having a recess formed therein in alignment with said punch, means for reciprocating said carrier and said reciprocable member so as to move the opening in said carrier between said abutment and said reciprocable member and the face of said reciprocable member into contact with the face of said carrier to form said die cavity with the element enclosed therein, means for reciprocating the end of said punch against the element blank so as to form a locking recess on one side of the element head and a locking projection on the other side, means for moving the face of said reciprocable member away from the face of said abutment, means adapted to extend from the face of said reciprocable member to eject the element therefrom, means for moving said opening in said carrier from between said faces of said abutment and reciprocable member and means for ejecting the element from said carrier while the opening is out of the space between said reciprocating member and the abutment.

6. A machine for forming fastener elements comprising an element cutting die and an element shaping die, means for feeding to said cutting die a curved length of wire having a cross sectional shape generally the shape of the element to be formed, means for suspending said wire between said feeding means and cutting die, means for straightening said wire where suspended, comprising a reciprocable hammer which is adapted to strike the wire on the side opposite to its center of curvature, said cutting die comprising a shearing block and a reciprocating shearing knife, each having an opening therein, an abutment on the opposite side of said knife from said block, said wire being fed through said opening in said shearing block and into said opening in said knife until stopped by said abutment, means for operating said knife to shear off the end of the Wire to form a blank in said opening in said knife and to carry said blank to said shaping die.

WILLIAM J. WILEY. 

